the nra themselves have been relatively quiet on the issue. they've deactivated their facebook page. have they spoken to you, and what do you think their response would be to a feinstein bill if it got support? >> we're the nra, i have reached out and spoken to them. i intend to do an awful lot more. i want them engaged in this dialogue. these are good people. and they need to be at the table. and bottom line is, what we're asking is for all of us to come together and see reasonable approaches we can take. still protecting the second amendment rights. that's their concern. and my concern also. and again, they don't need to be ville nized, nor should they be. they're going to be a strong participant and they should be at the table. i'm going to do everything i can to make sure they are. >> senator, we had a ban on assault weapons in this country that expired in 2004. it's the early days, but to the extent there is any momentum reinstating such a ban, do you think it has a realistic chance of passing the house and senate? >> carl, i would think